Category: Bracebridge

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two more drivers during the holiday long weekend.

On May 17, 2025, just before midnight, Bracebridge OPP officers had Highway 11 North in Gravenhurst temporarily closed in order to conduct an investigation and while doing so, a vehicle attempted to travel through that section of road. Officers conducted a traffic stop and subsequently arrested and charged 59-year-old William ROBINSON of Don Mills, ON with the following:

• Operation while Impaired
• Over 80
• Dangerous Operation
• Drive on Closed Highway
• Driving Motor Vehicle with Liquor Readily Available
• Fail to Move into Another Lane for Emergency Vehicle

He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge in June to answer to his charge.

On May 18, 2025, at 9:45 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program on Muskoka Road 169 in Muskoka Lakes Township. A vehicle proceeded to the RIDE program and officers began an investigation into the presence of alcohol, subsequently arrested and charged 72-year-old David HOLMES of Etobicoke, ON with Operation while Impaired- Over 80. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 17, 2025, to answer to his charge.

Impaired driving continues to be a significant factor impacting the safety of Muskoka roads, if you are concerned that someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please call 9-1-1 to notify police.

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two drivers during the first day of the holiday long weekend.

On May 16, 2025, at 8:40 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers along with officers from the Central Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) team were conducting a RIDE program on Kanien’keha:ka lohatatie, formerly Muskoka Road 38, near Muskoka Road 169 in Muskoka Lakes Township. A vehicle proceeded to the RIDE program and officers began an investigation into the presence of alcohol, and subsequently arrested and charged 34-year-old Michael QUESNEL of Gravenhurst with Operation while Impaired- Over 80. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 17, 2025, to answer to his charge.

On May 17, 2025, at 12:25 a.m. Bracebridge OPP officers responded to reports of loud vehicle driving in an unsafe manner in Annie Williams Park, on Santas Village Road in Bracebridge, as well as along side streets in the same area. Officers located the vehicle nearby and subsequently arrested and charged 18-year-old Landen KEOWN of Bracebridge with Operation while Impaired, Over 80, Dangerous Operation, Mischief and Novice Driver- B.A.C. above zero. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 10, 2025, to answer to his charges.

Impaired driving continues to be a significant factor impacting the safety of Muskoka roads, if you are concerned that someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please call 9-1-1 to notify police.

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged another five drivers with impaired driving during the first two weekends in May, bringing the total number of drivers charged in May to six.

On May 2, 2025, at 8:40 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers responded to reports of a single vehicle collision on Lone Pine Drive in Bracebridge after a vehicle left the roadway and landed on its side. The driver was uninjured, and police subsequently arrested and charged 22-year-old Travis DYKE of Bracebridge with Impaired Operation and Over 80. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 3, 2025, to answer to his charges.

On May 3, 2025, at 12:15 a.m. Bracebridge OPP officers responded to reports of another single vehicle collision on Brackenrig Road in Muskoka Lakes Township after a vehicle left the roadway and came to rest in a ditch. The driver was uninjured, and police subsequently arrested and charged 31-year-old Ariel HARTOG of Mactier with Impaired Operation and Over 80. She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 3, 2025, to answer to her charges.

On May 10, 2025, just after 11:00 a.m., a Bracebridge OPP officer was conducting routine patrols in Georgian Bay Township and conducted a traffic stop on Highway 400 North. It was determined that there were issues with the drivers license and subsequent to an investigation, police arrested and charged 51-year-old Jason SCHELL of Mactier with the following:

• Operation while Impaired
• Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand
• Operation while Prohibited under the Criminal Code X 5
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid
• Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
• Fail to Attend for Fingerprints

He was held in custody for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice on May 12, 2025 to answer to his charges.

Police also arrested and charged the passenger in this vehicle, 33-year-old Jessica BEASLEY of Mactier with Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Opioid and Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon. She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 24, 2025 to answer to her charges.

On May 10, 2025, at 2:20 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers responded to reports of another single vehicle collision on Taylor Road near Cedar Lane in Bracebridge after a vehicle left the roadway struck a pole. The driver was uninjured, and police subsequently arrested and charged 59-year-old Kerry HASTINGS of Bracebridge with Impaired Operation, Over 80 and Operation while Prohibited. She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 10, 2025, to answer to her charges.

On May 11, 2025, at 9:15 p.m. a Bracebridge OPP officer was conducting general patrol in the town of Bracebridge and came across a vehicle that was in the ditch. The officer conducted an investigation into the circumstances and subsequently arrested and charged 40-year-old Brenna BENVEGNU of Bracebridge with Impaired Operation and Over 80. She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 10, 2025, to answer to her charges.

This brings the current number of drivers charged with impaired driving related offenses in Bracebridge detachment area alone, to 42 in 2025. Impaired driving continues to be a significant factor impacting the safety of Muskoka roads, if you are concerned that someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please call 9-1-1 to notify police.

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged three drivers with impaired driving halfway through the Easter traffic safety campaign.

On April 19, 2025 at 5:45 p.m. members of the Central Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) team and Bracebridge OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program on Maple Street in Port Carling in Muskoka Lakes Township. A vehicle entered the RIDE program and officers soon commenced an impaired driving investigation. Police arrested and charged 63-year-old Karen SCHUH of Port Carling, ON with Impaired Operation CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 6, 2025 to answer to her charges.

On April 19, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers along with members of the T.I.M.E. team were conducting a RIDE program on Ecclestone Drive in the town of Bracebridge when officers stopped a nearby vehicle that appeared to be avoiding the RIDE checkpoint. Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Jonah KILLINS-BEASLEY of Muskoka Lakes Township with Impaired Operation – Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 20, 2025 to answer to his charge.

On April 19, 2025 at 11:20 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers along with members of the T.I.M.E. team were conducting a RIDE program on Muskoka Road South in the town of Gravenhurst. While investigating the conduct of a driver, officers became concerned about the driving behaviour of another vehicle travelling on Bethune Drive. A traffic stop was conducted and police subsequently arrested and charged 61-year-old Robert HAMANN of Barrie, ON with Impaired Operation CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 20, 2025 to answer to his charges.

If you suspect that someone is operating a vehicle of any kind while impaired, please call 9-1-1 from your hands free device.

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged one driver after a dangerous situation in the town of Bracebridge.

On April 3, 2025 just before 11:00 p.m. Bracebridge OPP officers, along with Bracebridge Fire and Muskoka EMS, responded to 9-1-1 calls about a single-vehicle-collision that occurred on Manitoba Street. The involved vehicle was reportedly seen swerving on the road and left the roadway, collided with a tree, and landed on its roof. Emergency crews assisted in extricating the occupants and the female passenger was transported to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was also transported to hospital with minor injuries.

Police have charged 41-year-old Shane WEBB of Bracebridge, ON with Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm CC 320.13(2), Operation While Impaired Causing Bodily Harm CC 320.14(2) and Failure or Refusal To Comply with Demand-Bodily Harm CC 320.15(2). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, on May 13, 2025 to answer to his charges.

Police are asking anyone who may have information, including video surveillance, to call Bracebridge OPP at 1-800-310-1122 or you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you wish to remain anonymous.

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged six drivers with impaired driving related offences during the first half of March.

On Friday March 7, 2025, just before 3:00 a.m., Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a report of a collision that occurred on Germania Road near Gilbert Lane after the involved vehicle left the roadway and became lodged in a snowbank. The driver was uninjured, and police have charged 34-year-old David REISMAN of Bracebridge with Operation while Impaired- Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 1, 2025, to answer to his charge.

On Saturday March 8, 2025, at 8:40 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a concern from a member of the public about a motorist driving on Highway 11 North in Gravenhurst. The caller reported that the vehicle struck the concrete median and continued driving. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Highway 11 North near Highway 118 and subsequently arrested and charged 32-year-old Joel LIZOTTE of Penetanguishene, ON with Operation while Impaired CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 15, 2025, to answer to his charges.

On Sunday March 9, 2025, at 1:40 a.m., Bracebridge OPP officers were conducting proactive patrols in the town of Bracebridge and stopped a vehicle on Wellington Street. Police subsequently arrested and charged 38-year-old Bradley WILLIAMS of Severn, ON with Operation while Impaired CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 15, 2025, to answer to his charges.

Just before midnight on March 9, 2025, officers in Gravenhurst were looking for a vehicle that had been reportedly driving erratically on Bay Street and located it in a parking lot near the Gravenhurst Wharf. After an interaction with the driver, police have charged 35-year-old Gerald TABACHACK of Wikwemikong, ON with Operation while Impaired- Alcohol and Drug CC 320.14(1)(a). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 22, 2025, to answer to his charge.

On Saturday March 15, 2025, at 10:00 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers were conducting a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program on Ecclestone Drive in Bracebridge and observed a vehicle turn in a possible attempt to avoid traveling through the RIDE check. Police conducted a traffic stop and subsequently arrested and charged 26-year-old Sean DESPINS of Gravenhurst, ON with Operation while Impaired- Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 8, 2025, to answer to his charge.

On Sunday March 16, 2025, at 8:30 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers responded to concerns from a member of the public about a possibly impaired driver on Bethune Drive in Gravenhurst. Officers located the vehicle on Pine Street in Bracebridge and subsequently arrested and charged 30-year-old Shannon SUTEY of Bracebridge, ON with Operation while Impaired CC 320.14(1)(a) and Over 80 CC 320.14(1)(b). She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on April 8, 2025, to answer to her charges.

Members of the public continue to be key partners in keeping Muskoka roads safe by taking the time to call and report their concerns to police. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you may call 9-1-1 from your hands free device.